When Cuba, led by revolutionary Fidel Castro, nationalized
U.S. properties about 40 years ago, the United States slapped
on a stifling trade embargo. Today the sanctions remain, as
does Castro.

Recently the Senate overwhelmingly passed a amendment to
allow food and medicine sales to Cuba. But the provision is
currently stalled in conference negotiations between the
House and Senate.

Democrats in favor of the amendment accuse opponents of using
food as a weapon.

"What's happening is you have a few right wing ideologues in
the House aiming at Castro and hitting our farmers," said
Sen. Tom Harkin, a Democrat from Iowa.

Supporters of the embargo argue sanctions are the only way to
have leverage on Castro. Unless the Cuba amendment is
removed, they threaten to block the entire agricultural
appropriations bill, which includes a bailout for farmers and
hurricane relief for North Carolina.

Farmers say record crops and low prices raise a demand for new markets

"We insist on the liberation of all political prisoners, the
legalization of all political parties, labor unions and the
press, the scheduling of free elections with international
supervision by the Cuban government," said Rep. Lincoln Diaz-
Balart, a Florida Republican.

President Bill Clinton supports sales to Cuba, administration
sources said privately. Earlier this year the White House
approved sales of food and medicine to other countries
against which the United States has imposed sanctions
including Iran, Libya and the Sudan.